Sunday, September 15, 2013

I'm very excited that 2 of my pieces, "Cherry Blossom Time" and "Red Dress", are finalists in the Southern Appalachian Artists Guild 2013 National Exhibition in Blue Ridge, GA. This is always a beautiful exhibit. If you feel like driving to the mountains for the colorful fall foliage, you must go admire the show. The show runs October 5th - November 9th. Opening Reception is October 19th, 5 - 7pm at The Art Center, 420 West Main St., Blue Ridge, GA. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Commission a portrait for any occasion or reason. Portraits don't have to be the traditional person sitting in a chair staring forward. A beautiful, lasting piece of fine art that commemorates a special person doing something they love or just being themselves is interesting for anyone to to admire, whether they know the person or not. The painting below was a graduation gift for a daughter who is a rider.

These are finalists in the upcoming Portrait Society of Atlanta 2013 Fall Exhibition. They will be displayed at the beautiful Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, September 28th - December 16th

Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

30 Atlanta Street, SE Marietta, GA 30060

Awards Reception Saturday, September 28, 6-8 pm

Admission is $8.00 for non Museum members

I drew "Jenna" as part of a group of paintings/ drawings from photographs (with permission) taken by a GA. missionary who has been in Haiti for many years. His photos inspired me to paint them because the subject's true spirit shown through even with all the poverty and destruction there.

"Trent" is the brother of another boy I painted several years ago. Their mom wanted them portrayed participating in activities they loved. "Chance" was in his football uniform coming off the field after a game. I love when paintings tell a story - it makes them much more interesting.

"Kennan & Chase" are teen brother & sister. I enjoyed having the opportunity to paint them in a traditional pose with a abstract painting behind them. .....Lot's of fun!! Thanks to the parents for being so forward thinking. :)

Monday, September 2, 2013

Red Barn was chosen for the Kerry Aube Lingle Sunflower Award at the Atlanta Fine Arts League Small Works Exhibition at the Limelight Gallery in November 2012. The award was estabished in 2007 along with AFAL. It is such an honor ro receive the only award given at this exhibition. The award is chosen by Pat Aube Gray in memory of her daughter, Kerry, for her giving nature and her love of creativity. Sunflowers were Kerry's favorite flower.

Nate & Ben, 24x36, oil on linen

This portrait was given to a great dad by his loving wife and boys for Father's Day.

Morning Thoughts, 22x28, mixed chalk

Dance of the Dogwoods, 24x30, oil
This piece along with Cherry Blossom Time were exhibited at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Saturday, February 18, 2012

I had so much fun painting this white horse. I used a very limited palette of only Underpainting White, Titanium White, Ultramarine blue, Cadmium Red, Ivory Black and Yellow Ochre. I loved getting a lot of texture in the background and using a gallery wrapped canvas. It's nice to do something different for a change. I love painting portraits but this is fun too. I'll be doing more of these! Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My latest portrait is of Isabella Gray, a very happy and energetic little girl. I was really looking forward to painting this one because she is just so cute! I love the monogram on her dress and the contrast of the pinks in her bow and dress with the greens and yellows of the background. I'm pretty sure I captured her personality and confidence! Her parents were thrilled to get it.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Here is another drawing that I did before Christmas. My client wanted to capture a photo of his parents from when they were engaged to be married. His father had recently passed away and he wanted a drawing to share with his family. The original photo was taken in 1958 in Alexandria, Egypt. As the drawing progressed, my client & I discussed some slight deviations from the original like lightenening some of the shadows, but all in all, I think I captured the feel of that moment. He also wanted a more consistent look of the sign in the background (not weathered as much). It doesn't really show in my photo but I used a creamy ivory paper to make it look a little aged. I think he was pleased.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

"A Mother's Love" was selected to be a part of the Fourth Annual Southern Artists Guild National Exhibition, October 15 through November 12, 2011. I'm excited to be a part of this show. Join me on Oct. 15 for the opening reception at The Art Center, Blue Ridge, GA from 5 - 7PM. The exhibition will be held in the historic Richard Low Evans Courtroom Gallery and coincides with the peak autumn foliage in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia. I love the mountains and this will give me a great opportunity to be there with all the beautiful Fall colors and the wonderful art.

"A Mother's Love" is part of a series of paintings and drawings that I have been working on from Haiti before and after the earthquake. I felt very drawn to do something. My intention was to have an exhibition of many works this year, sell them and have the proceeds go back to Haiti. I haven't had as much painting time as I had hoped so the project will moved to next year. Someone said to me that they just can't help with anything for Haiti because it is so much of a lost cause and there is nothing anyone can do. There are so many missions and non-profits really making a difference in the lives of the people there. They give the children hope and make them happy at least for a while.Your donations can help one child or help build a school, or bring fresh water to an area. You can make a difference more than you know. There are many ways to help - just a little goes a long way.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

You are cordially invited to the 24th National Juried Art Exhibition sponsord by the South Cobb Arts Alliance, August 20 - October 3, 2011. The opening reception is Saturday, August 20, 5 -7 PM at the Mable House Arts Center Gallery, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton, GA 30126. Gallery Website

Thursday, May 19, 2011

"Emily", along with "Daniel" and "The Luther Children", has been selected as a finalist in the Portrait Society of Atlanta Summer 2011 Juried Exhibition June 9 - July 9. Peggy Baumgaertner, and accomplished artist, teacher and author, served as the juror for this show. The exhibition will be at the Mable House Arts Center Gallery, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton, GA 30126. Please join me for the opening reception Saturday, June 18, 5 - 7PM.

Friday, May 6, 2011

I delivered "A Mother's Love - Haiti" to Abernathy Arts Center this week for the GA Artists Juried Exhibition. The show runs May 13th through June 24th with the opening reception Friday, May 13th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM. I'm very happy to have my work included in this exhibit. It really is an eclectic collection of works from very modern and contemporary to realistic work like mine. The jurors for the exhibit are:

Stephanie Smith, Lecturer at the University of West Georgia and Founding President of the Atlanta Printmakers Studio.

Rick Berman, Potter, Author and Teacher at Pace Academy.

2011 Judge:

Michael Rooks, Wieland Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at High Museum.

All of the artists in this exhibit are mothers and they were asked to have their child or grandchild write about what it meant to have an artist for a mother. Below is what my son Zach wrote.

Zach Henry 3/26/2011

An artist for a mother…

Having a mother that’s an artist is pretty fun. I mean, you get to go to a lot of cool exhibits and travel a lot of places! I also benefit from the talent that was passed to me through her. I’m a pretty good artist I have to say. How can you not like it? Some times it does get hard though, because she has to paint and draw a good amount of the day. I don’t like it only because of the things that I benefit from; I like the art that she draws. I mean having a talented mother who paints and draws beautiful things is the only thing that I really like it for. I really love her and I love what she does! It’s great to have an artist for a mother.

‎"A Little Reassurance" and "South Carolina Sunset" have been accepted into "Dogwood in Springtime." The exhibition runs now through May 6 at the Atlanta Artists Center located at 2979 Grandview Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30305. This is always a special show for AAC every year.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

These are 2 of my Holiday Specials that I just finished. There may be some changes once their mom sees them. I've decided I will continue this special for Valentine's Day. It's perfect to have red drawings for Valentines.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

This portrait was a lot of fun to do since I know these children/teens personally. It was fun to capture the their personalities. I loved the opportunity to paint a somewhat abstract painting in the background of a traditional portrait. The painting in the background was created in 1987 by Barbara Kerstetter, an artist whose work is collected worldwide. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this one. I can't wait to deliver it this weekend.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

This is the portrait I've been working on lately. I'm getting close to finishing it but I still see things I need to work on. Daniel is the brother of Maddalena, who I painted in December 2008. They both have the lightest blue eyes I've ever seen, as well as light blonde hair, fair skin and very red lips. I think I've definitely captured the likeness, just need to do some finessing. I'll post a better picture (I took this one) when it's completed. I'm also working on a double portrait that I will post when it gets further along.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Here's my last drawing before Christmas. It's a lot of fun to do these. "Cameron" is the fourth grandchild I have drawn for my client.

On another note, I just found out that I received the Member of Merit status in the Portrait Society of Atlanta. It's been 4 years since anyone has been eligible. The portfolios of members who have reached juried status are thoroughly (really) graded on a point system by 3 prominent artists with different styles. I feel honored to be chosen

Sunday, November 7, 2010

These are my most recent paintings/ drawings. The butterflies are 8x10 oil on panel and the images are courtesy of my friend Maria Christina who loves to photograph them. The top one along with "South Carolina Sunset" (oil on panel, 12 x 16" ) will be in the Atlanta Fine Arts League Small Works Show & Sale at Binders Art & Frame, Buckhead. My good friend, Lila Campbell, took the sunset reference photo while on a wedding trip a few weeks ago. She is an awesome photographer. The second butterfly and "Chattahoochee" (oil, 6x12") will be for sale at the Jingle Bell Jubilee at Holy Innocents' School, Dec. 4th & 5th. Chattahoochee was painted by the river when I was with my artist friends. "Homemade Wine - Salerno" (oil/ panel, 8 x 11) will be part of the Rome Fine Wine Festival Silent Auction in Rome, GA, November 14th. The charcoal is a portrait commission I just completed last week. This is a busy time of year for me but I absolutely LOVE it.

About Me

Artists Statement

I paint everyday life because I believe there is beauty in everything. I enjoy looking deeper to find the uniqueness that I know is there. I love the way light falls on the form whether it's a portrait, a still life, or a landscape. Mystery in the shadows or a story to be told is what I want the viewer to find in my paintings. How blessed I am to be able to create on a regular basis. Life is good. I hope you enjoy my work.